When loyalty to the leader is valued more than their expertise and competence.
In the past, educators played a vital role by acting as an extended family for students coming from dysfunctional households. However, due to various factors including lack of appreciation and respect for their work, today's educators are more reluctant than before when it comes to going above and beyond their basic duties .
Educators, who were once trusted to bridge the gap between dysfunctional families and their children, are now hindered by a pervasive culture of Fear, Silence, and Intimidation.
A direct correlation can be seen between the prioritization of Loyalty over Competence, leading to the retention of far too many incompetent school leaders and a lack of support for educators who are dedicated to helping saving our children.
What occurs when loyalty takes precedence over competence
Take a moment to observe our city surroundings; we are currently witnessing an extended period of detrimental disregard for the well-being of our youth, which in turn is exacerbating the rise in juvenile delinquency and alarming murder statistics. Need I say more?
Oh Where Shall I Begin
Former District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine Indisputable Truth
Issues of loyalty and incompetence within the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) have long plagued the educational system, resulting in detrimental consequences for students, particularly those living east of the Anacostia River.
Former DC attorney general Karl Racine's stated, "In this government, loyalty matters more than expertise and competence" rings true within the mayoral controlled DC Public Schools.
The mayor's decision to retain inadequate school principals based on loyalty has perpetuated a toxic culture within DCPS.
Under the leadership of DCPS chancellor, deputy chancellors and instructional superintendents have become mere gatekeepers of the mayor's pervasive toxic culture characterized by fear, silence, and intimidation.
This detrimental culture hampers creative thinking, obstructs advancement, jeopardizes the well-being of students, and ultimately diminishes the standard of education offered to students in Southeast schools.
Can You Here Me Now
Leaders have failed to address the pressing issues of fear, silence, and intimidation that exist within the system. This loyalty-over-competence trade-off presents a serious dilemma for the government, as it must decide between weak, sycophantic leaders or competent representatives who may challenge the status quo.
Once Again
This loyalty-over-competence trade-off presents a serious dilemma for the government, as it must decide between Weak Sycophantic Leaders or Competent Representatives who may challenge the status quo.
The consequences of prioritizing loyalty over competence are particularly evident when examining the disparities between Northwest and Southeast schools within DCPS. While Ferebee and the mayor readily listen to the concerns of more affluent Northwest schools, those in Southeast are too often ignored and neglected. This neglect further exacerbates the already existing inequities in educational opportunities and outcomes between these two regions.
Moreover, the removal of inadequate school leaders in Southeast schools often requires an almost insurmountable effort from Congress. This lack of accountability and responsiveness to the needs of Southeast schools not only perpetuates educational disparities but also undermines the trust and confidence that students, parents, and community members have in the DCPS system.
Be cautious of the leader (aka Puppet Master) who demands unwavering loyalty
The loyalty-based approach to decision-making within DCPS is not limited to school leaders but also affects the rank-and-file personnel. Leaders who prioritize loyalty over competence are more likely two retaliate and terminate staff speculated to be associated with known whistleblowers and surround themselves with loyal but incompetent individuals.
Mayor Too Busy Playing Psychological Revenge Politics
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This perpetuates a culture of fear, silence, and intimidation among teachers and staff, as they know that their loyalty to the leader is valued more than their expertise and competence. Therefore, loyalty becomes a determining factor in employment and advancement within the DCPS system, rather than the demonstrated ability to effectively educate and support students.
This loyalty-over-competence trade-off is not unique to the DCPS. The recent sexual misconduct scandal in the DC government's top leadership has unveiled a wide net of deceit, deception and dangers of prioritizing loyalty over competence. In these instances, loyalty to the leader trumped the performance and accountability of officials, allowing for a culture in which misconduct was tolerated or even covered up for the sake of maintaining loyalty and protecting the reputation of those in power.
What Can Be Done
To address these issues and ensure educational equity within DCPS, the leadership must prioritize expertise and competence over loyalty. This requires a shift in the organizational culture, where leaders value diversity and create an inclusive environment that values and respects the contributions of all individuals.
In the article "You Can't Fix What You Can't Face: How Our Education Governance System Is Failing Us," Ruth Wattenberg discusses the problems and suggest solutions to the DC educational governance dilemma.
Although optimistic, I have witnessed up close and personally the lack of transparency and accountability in DCPS decision-making and the negative impact it has on East of the River schools. Therefore, it is crucial for us who care deeply about all our DC children to actively agitate and fight systemic toxicity and its gatekeepers till progress is obtained.
Final thought
Now you know!
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